Gal Preps for Final Stage of LPGA Q-School
Monday, November 26, 2007 | Women's Golf
“I haven't really thought about expectations,” Gal said. “I just want to play the best I can. It's a great experience and that's what I'm going to take it as. I know I can play with the best and that's how I'm going to approach it this week.”
Gal passed with flying colors at the sectional qualifying tournament in Venice, Fla., earlier in October. She placed fifth, the highest finish among any amateur making an appearance in the field, and finished 2-under par through four rounds at the Plantation Golf and Country Club.
Gal's season has been nothing short of remarkable after breaking almost every conceivable record as a junior. She captured medalist honors at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Classic after a playoff and tied the UF tournament record (210) for the second time in her decorated career. Gal is the team leader in scoring average at 72.3 through nine rounds after shattering the school single-season record last season, averaging 72.7 strokes per round.
“If I play conservatively, I won't make enough birdies, and if I play too aggressively, I'll make too many bogeys,” Gal said. “As an amateur, you don't have expectations like the pros do. On the other hand, I don't feel like I can prepare as well as the other competitors because of class and other commitments. I'll go out there and do the best I can.”
The German native and 2007 Co-SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year is no stranger to the LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, directed by former two-time team MVP Mary Hafeman. Gal and the Lady Gators played the course at the 2006 NCAA Daytona Beach Fall Preview against some of the toughest competition in the nation. She placed seventh, the team's highest finish as Florida finished eighth out of 18 teams.
The tournament' s top 16 performers will receive a full card to become exempt on the LPGA for the next year. As an amateur, Gal has the option to turn professional or return to Florida to finish out her senior year.
